In a significant development that could impact Bengaluru's infrastructure expansion, farmers in the city's outskirts are taking a firm legal stand against what they call "inadequate" compensation offers for their lands. The contentious issue revolves around the ambitious 65-meter-wide Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, a major business corridor initiative that promises to reshape the city's connectivity.
The Heart of the Dispute
Over 1,900 acres of agricultural and residential land across 28 villages stand affected by this massive infrastructure project. While authorities have been pushing for acquisition through negotiated settlements, farmers have consistently rejected these offers, insisting that compensation must strictly adhere to the legal framework established under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Why Farmers Are Holding Their Ground
The farmers' position isn't merely about holding out for higher payments—it's about principle and legal rights. Under the current law, landowners are entitled to compensation that includes:
- Market value assessment based on recent sale deeds in the area
- Additional compensation for assets and structures on the land
- Rehabilitation and resettlement benefits
- Compensation for potential livelihood losses
Many farmers argue that the negotiated offers fall significantly short of these legal requirements, particularly given the rapid appreciation of land values in Bengaluru's peripheral areas.
Project Significance and Stakes
The Peripheral Ring Road isn't just another infrastructure project—it's envisioned as a crucial business corridor that would:
- Decongest Bengaluru's notorious traffic bottlenecks
- Connect key industrial and commercial hubs
- Boost economic development in the region
- Create new growth corridors for the expanding city
However, the current impasse threatens to delay these benefits, highlighting the delicate balance between urban development and landowners' rights.
The Way Forward
With both sides maintaining their positions, the resolution path remains uncertain. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), which is executing the project, faces the challenge of moving forward while respecting legal frameworks and addressing genuine concerns of affected landowners.
Legal experts suggest that a middle ground might involve more transparent valuation processes and potentially revisiting compensation calculations to ensure they truly reflect market realities and legal requirements.
As Bengaluru continues its rapid urban expansion, this standoff serves as a critical test case for how India's silicon valley balances development needs with the protection of landowners' rights—a challenge that will likely influence future infrastructure projects across the country.
